Each May, families, schools, and communities pause to recognize the educators who shape our children’s futures—both in-person and online. Teacher Appreciation Week 2025 is more than a feel-good holiday. It’s a chance to reflect on the life-changing impact of classroom teachers, as well as the increasingly vital role of Bilingual Bridges’ online teachers.

This year, let’s go beyond cards and cupcakes. There are many ways to show teacher appreciation, but one of the most meaningful is offering educators consistent support in and outside the classroom; and that’s where high-dosage tutoring comes in. It’s not as a replacement for the immeasurable impact of classroom instruction, but serves as a partner in student success.

Why Teachers Need More Than Thank-You Notes

During Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, handwritten cards, small gifts, and thoughtful teacher appreciation messages will fill classrooms—and they absolutely matter. A kind word can go a long way in lifting spirits and reminding educators they are seen and valued. But appreciation, at its deepest level, also looks like real support. It’s more than the hottest new curriculum, weekly data dives with instructional coaches, SEL-focused PD, and extra at-home practice for students. It’s about the strategic incorporation of outcomes-focused, high-dosage tutoring programs into the school day.

Today’s classroom teachers are navigating increased academic demands, larger class sizes, and widening skill gaps among students. Many are working beyond school hours to reach every learner—especially those who are working below grade level. That’s why more schools are shifting from celebration to collaboration, inviting support from community partners to fill instructional gaps.

Local nonprofits, family liaisons, and online tutoring companies like Bilingual Bridges are stepping up to divide the workload. At the same time, school administrators are taking proactive steps by allocating funds for tutoring programs, organizing intervention teams, and supporting collaboration across all stakeholders.

The benefits of online tutoring that follows a high-dosage model goes far beyond helping individual students. For teachers, it means fewer reteaching cycles, stronger class engagement, and more time to focus on in-person interventions. When every student has access to targeted, high-impact support, learning gaps are closed, academic growth is accelerated, confidence increases, and student engagement soars. That’s a win for everyone.

How High-dosage Tutoring Empowers Teachers

At Bilingual Bridges, our role isn’t just to support students—it’s to empower teachers. Through our high-dosage tutoring programs, we work hand-in-hand with schools across the country to customize Tier II and Tier III interventions that amplify classroom instruction. But our tutors don’t replace classroom teachers – they simply extend their reach.

In fact, some of the most inspiring results come from our shared commitment to student growth. Teachers who are already working tirelessly day in and day out, tell us they’re seeing incredible results since implementing online high-dosage tutoring in their classrooms. Academic achievement among Multilingual Learners (MLs) and native-English speakers has skyrocketed and they are growing 3 times faster than their non-Bilingual Bridges peers. They have developed real connections with their tutors, they are motivated to learn, and they’re passing standardized tests at higher rates. 

Here’s what a few of our amazing school partners had to say:

Whether it’s at KIPP Indy, Christel House Academy, Avondale Meadows Middle School, or Enlace Academy, our partnerships are grounded in one shared goal: empowering students from all backgrounds to reach their full potential. By offering high-impact tutoring that’s consistent, data-driven, and rooted in best practices, we’re giving classroom teachers the support they deserve, and helping students thrive. 

Online Tutors: The Secret Weapon Teachers Appreciate

In today’s fast-paced classrooms, it’s no surprise more schools are realizing just how impactful online tutoring can be—not only for students, but for teachers as well. When academic needs start to exceed the hours in the day, an online tutor may be exactly what’s needed to reinforce learning and reduce the pressure on teachers. Online tutors help lighten the instruction and assessment load, giving classroom teachers a chance to breathe while expanding their reach.

Here are just a few of the core benefits of online tutoring from a teacher’s perspective:

• • Time-saving reinforcement: Tutors can re-teach and practice skills outside class time, so teachers don’t have to start over.

• • Custom learning plans: Tutors tailor lessons to student gaps, freeing teachers to focus on whole-group instruction.

• • Real-time progress updates: Online tutoring tools allow educators and families to track growth and adjust strategies.

• • Flexible scheduling: Sessions can happen before school, after school, or during designated intervention blocks—without disrupting instruction.

• • Aligned support: The best tutoring programs—like those at Bilingual Bridges—communicate with schools to align with classroom content.

5 Meaningful Ways to Show Teacher Appreciation in 2025

There are countless teacher appreciation ideas floating around Pinterest and parent groups—but the most meaningful gestures come from intentional support. Here are five ways to show teacher appreciation this year that go beyond the basics and have a lasting impact:

• Gift your child’s teacher the gift of time
  → Encourage independent learning or online tutoring to reduce the need for reteaching.
• Write a heartfelt letter of appreciation
  → Go beyond a card—acknowledge specific ways a teacher made a difference this year.
• Organize classroom support through your PTA
  → Coordinate volunteers or arrange academic partnerships that ease the teacher’s load.
• Sponsor access to a tutor
  → Whether through your family or school, connect students with high-dosage tutors who can reinforce what they’re learning in the classroom..
• Celebrate bilingual and multicultural educators
  → Recognize their unique role in connecting families, supporting English language learners, and expanding inclusive learning.

These small but powerful actions help teachers feel truly valued—not just for one week in May, but all year long.

Let’s Redefine Teacher Appreciation Together

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week 2025, let’s move beyond the cards and cupcakes and start creating real, lasting change for the teachers we rely on every day. Classroom teachers and their online counterparts all deserve support that’s tangible and transformative. 

At Bilingual Bridges, our team of online, high-impact tutors is proud to work alongside incredible educators to help every student thrive. Looking for ways to support your child’s learning and honor their teacher at the same time? Check out our high-impact tutoring, bilingual reading, bilingual math, and world language tutoring programs!

Written by Ibeth Muñoz – Curriculum & Instruction Specialist at Bilingual Bridges